Chicago, Illinois – A Fire Weather Watch is in effect Friday for much of northern Illinois, where strong winds and dry air could spark fast-moving wildfires from Rockford to Kankakee.
According to the National Weather Service in Chicago, the alert begins at 10 a.m. Friday and continues through 7 p.m. South winds will gust up to 45 mph, while humidity levels may plummet to 20%, creating explosive fire conditions across 17 counties including Cook, DuPage, McHenry, Kane, and Will.
The greatest threat lies in open fields and rural areas, especially near highways and railways where sparks can easily ignite grass fires. Officials strongly urge residents to avoid all outdoor burning, including bonfires, brush piles, and fire pits.
Emergency crews across affected counties — including Iroquois, Ford, Livingston, and La Salle — are on heightened alert. Dry grasses and debris from a warm, windy week have only increased the risk. “If a fire starts, it could spread rapidly and be hard to control,” officials warned.
The Fire Weather Watch could be upgraded to a Red Flag Warning by morning. Residents should monitor updates and delay any outdoor fire-related activity until conditions improve.
